Lessons Learned, Penguins Overwhelm Devils 5-1
Following Tuesday’s near two-point giveaway fiasco, coach Mike Sullivan gathered his troops at practice the following day. No, he didn’t read them the riot act as some might suspect. Rather, he used the time to address some issues from the night before and reinforce the way he wants the team to play.
Given last night’s results, I think it’s safe to say “Sully’s” message got through. Given a chance to redeem themselves, the Penguins snatched the early lead against New Jersey and proceeded to put the hammer down, piling up a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Shades of the previous game. However, this time we protected the lead…and goalie Tristan Jarry…through a scoreless final period.
Lessons learned.
It didn’t hurt that fleet winger Kasperi Kapanen returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with a foot injury. “Kappy” provided a spark, collecting a goal and an assist while earning top-star honors. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Determined to make amends…and a statement…the Pens struck on the opening shift just 19 seconds in. Who else but Sidney Crosby got the goal, whipping the puck past Aaron Dell from the left faceoff dot.